UPDATE (9:43 p.m. 5/21/21): The fatal shooting victim who died in a parking lot outside Destin’s Coyote Ugly nightclub around 3:30 this morning is identified as 26-year old Jose Barroetabena Morejon of Crestview. The investigation surrounding the shooting is active and ongoing.
DESTIN, Fla. (WKRG) — UPDATE 5/21/2021 (1:45 pm) — Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden says the deadly shooting Friday morning started as a fight between two groups outside Coyote Ugly Saloon on the Destin Harbor.
Sheriff Aden says a 27-year-old local Hispanic man died after a gunfight between the groups. According to witness testimony, Aden says the victim first pulled a gun and others returned fire.
OCSO says a woman, early 20s, was shot in the leg as a bystander. She was taken to a local hospital and expected to be ok.
“Violence of this nature is very rare, especially in Destin. The last time we had a shooting was a very similar situation where we had an altercation outside of a bar, it did not result in the death of anyone. It was almost two and a half years ago, but a very similar case. it was outside of a popular nightclub, where alcohol was involved, an argument ensued and it resulted in gunfire.
Sheriff Eric Aden, Okaloosa County
Sheriff Aden believes the suspects to be visitors, and not from the area.
Suspect description:
- Hispanic male, heavy set, age 20-35
- Hispanic male, thin build, with glasses, age 20-35
“Just know that our visitors are going to be safe. It is very rare that something like this, of this magnitude, happens. Just be cognizant that sometimes alcohol and altercations begin after hours and hours of consumption in the early hours of the morning.”
Sheriff Eric Aden, Okaloosa County
“We have estimated over 2 million visitors that come to this county alone. Like I said, it is very rare that we have an incident like this, that rocks us to the point where someone is killed. With Memorial Day coming up we are going to have huge numbers of people. This is one of our big four weekends that we have in the year. But all of those visitors can feel safe, we have a number of deputies that patrol that harbor.”
Sheriff Eric Aden, Okaloosa County
UPDATE 5/21/2021 (9:58 am) — OCSO described three suspects in the early morning shooting outside a popular Destin nightclub.
OCSO says one man was a heavyset Hispanic male. Another, a skinny Hispanic male wearing reader-type glasses. The third, a white male.
Anyone with information is asked to call OCSO at 850.651.7400 or contact Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-TIPS.
ORIGINAL STORY 5/21/2021 (8:24 am) — The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) is investigating a fatal shooting that took place outside of the Coyote Ugly nightclub Friday morning.
The sheriff’s office says the shooting took place around 3:30 a.m. at the club located on Harbor Boulevard in Destin. Deputies were called to the scene for multiple shots fired and found two victims in the parking lot.
The sheriff’s office says one person was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Deputies attempted lifesaving measures on the second victim, but the man died at the scene.
Witnesses say the suspects were seen leaving in a white, newer model car.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the OCSO at 850.651.7400 or contact Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-TIPS, emeraldcoastcrimestoppers.com, or use the P3 Tips Mobile application.
